Harry Millard

Harry Millard

Choosing a University wasn’t easy, until I attended Plymouth University’s Open Day. My first impressions of the University and the city were that they naturally felt like the right place for me to be. Having now spent almost 3 years here, I’m still finding more reasons to love Plymouth every week. It therefore comes as no shock to me that The Times recently named Plymouth as one of the 20 coolest places to live in Britain! Here are just some of the reasons I agree with them.

Britain’s Ocean City

One of the biggest draws to Plymouth for me is the phenomenal seaside location. To be able to leave the campus, stroll through town, and arrive at a green sunny seafront is a luxury few students get to enjoy, but in Plymouth it’s the norm. The Hoe is popular among my friends as a barbecue spot, a running route, and even somewhere to catch up on coursework.

Centralised Campus

Better still, this is just a 20 minute walk from campus. My Open Day taught me that the centralised design of the city means I need not pay for public transport or bring a car with me as everything is on the doorstep. The campus has been home to all my lectures, the 24/7 Library, the Students’ Union and my accommodation.

Guaranteed Accommodation

I spent my first year in Francis Drake Halls on campus, and I’d recommend this experience to anyone. Not only are the flats themselves fantastic, all with en-suites, but being thrown in with a group of strangers was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to make new friends for life. I remember it seeming daunting to me at the time, but on reflection it’s a chance to grow and build self-confidence.

Student Life

It’s particularly useful having a city full of shops, cinemas, gyms, nightclubs and more so close together, as transport costs add up quickly on a student budget. Without these added costs, you’ll find yourself with more spare cash for eating out, going to concerts at Plymouth Pavilions, or saving for later life if you’re a more sensible individual than I.

The city may be compact, but there’s certainly no shortage of things to do or places to explore. Just last week I discovered this small Elizabethan public garden tucked away behind shops in the Barbican. Despite being next to a street bristling with tourists on a sunny day, this tranquil hideaway was empty and peaceful. Plymouth is full of cool little places like this to discover.

Employability & Your Future

I’ve found that my course is designed to maximise my employability prospects. Plymouth University takes this seriously, with a great Careers & Employability department which offers advice, workshops, and part-time jobs. My modules are forward-thinking, tackling issues such as Sustainability in Business, so I feel confident my degree will remain relevant and worthwhile. That focus on employability is one of the main things I considered when choosing where to study.

I hope this has gone at least some way to assist you in what can understandably be a difficult decision-making process!